Intuit (QuickBooks Corporation) & GoFundMe have partnered to assist small businesses and nonprofits create relief fund donation requests for any loss of funds during the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the offering, the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater West Plains Area is asking the community to join in a GoFundMe campaign to help offset the losses we are experiencing due to the virus.
The Boys & Girls Club of the Greater West Plains Area activated a closure to combat the spread of COVID-19 effective March 23, 2020. The closure will remain in effect until all local school districts resume operations.
“We are seeking your help during these unprecedented times; the closure results in a loss of income that we receive when we are providing service to the youth within our community,” said officials. “During the closure, our organization is making strides to serve snack and dinners to anyone in the community 18 years of age and younger. This free service drives a large expense for our organization. So far, we have served over 475+ meals each day between our West Plains and Thayer communities!”
“Our mission statement was formed around being a place for “those that need us the most” said Aaron Evans, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Greater West Plains Area. “Right now, during these times, we need to look to the future. We want to ensure we are here, to ensure the youth have a safe place to go, that every child receives a meal. We want to be here for you, our community.”
The Boys & Girls Club of the Greater West Plains Area is asking the community to visit its Facebook page and see the smiling faces they serve each day.
“Those faces are our future. Those faces are our neighbors. Those faces need you.”
Ways to Give: Officials ask the community to consider giving, in any amount, as they strive to continue providing the level of services and programming we had before this unanticipated closure. Any amount, large or small, matters. To donate, please visit the GoFundMe page at, https://tinyurl.com/wemjngw. If businesses are interested in major gift giving, our organization has 50% Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credits available. Please contact our office for additional information. Additionally, the recently enacted CARES Act permits charitable giving incentives including a new above-the-line deduction (universal or non-itemizer deduction that applies to all taxpayers) for total charitable contributions of up to $300. The incentive applies to contributions made in 2020 and would be claimed on tax forms next year. The bill also lifts the existing cap on annual contributions for those who itemize, raising it from 60% of the adjusted gross income to 100%.
“Together, we shall prevail as an organization and community,” said Aaron Evans. “The community is strong and we want to be there for you.”
To donate online visit the BGCWP on GoFundMe at, https://tinyurl.com/wemjngw. If donating by mail, please mail to BGCWP, 613 W. First Street, West Plains, Missouri 65775.
BGCWP is a not-for-profit entity, dependent on donations and grants for funding. As part of Boys & Girls Clubs of America, BGCWP offers leading-edge child development programs, leader training, safety and security standards, and board development.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Club, call 417-204-CLUB (2582).
